NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND: FINAL FOUR PLAYOFF IS HERE

After the countless bowl games that served as appetizers, the college football playoff is finally upon us. Two classic bowl games will serve as the final test before we are given a national championship game.

Each team has made it to the playoff in a unique way. Alabama is back in the playoff after last season’s loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl and after being written off after an early season loss to Mississippi. Michigan State emerged as the Big Ten representative after beating Ohio State. Clemson rode Deshaun Watson to an undefeated season. Oklahoma recovered after losing to Texas and blitzed through the Big 12.

None of the four teams are perfect or unbeatable, but all are worthy of being in the playoff. No team has clearly delineated themselves from the pack; therefore this playoff is dripping with intrigue.

The Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma

The first of the two playoff games is probably going to closest of the two as both teams are evenly matched. Clemson’s offense is a tick worse than Oklahoma’s as the Sooners have the third best offense by S&P+ rankings (via Bill Connelly), while the Tigers rank tenth.

Led by Deshaun Watson, Clemson’s offense is a very strong passing threat, even without a well-known threat on the outside. Clemson’s Artavis Scott isn’t too shabby as a number one wideout as he had 84 catches for 805 yards this season. Deon Cain’s is the Tiger’s best deep threat, averaging 17.1 yards per catch. For Oklahoma, they have a star wide receiver in Sterling Shephard who caught 79 passes this year, for 1201 yards and 11 touchdowns.

​The other Sooner targets to look out for are Dede Westbrook and Durron Neal.

Oklahoma has the edge rushing the ball as they have two dynamic running backs in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. Perine averaged 6.1 yards per carry, while his partner in the backfield averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Quarterback Baker Mayfield also is a threat to run it, as he had 7 rushing touchdowns this season. Wayne Gallman who had 1,332 yards rushing this season leads Clemson’s rushing attack, and Watson is their second leading rusher with 11 touchdowns and 887 yards.

Defensively, Clemson has the edge based on S&P+ rankings, as they are the sixth ranked defensive, while Oklahoma is ranked 12th. Coming into the season, the Tigers were expected to fall off defensively after suffering losses to the NFL. However, with Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd wrecking havoc at defensive end, the Tiger defense is strong. The key Sooner defenders include linebackers Dominique Alexander and Eric Striker and end Charles Tapper.

This game is almost even across the board with both teams having playmakers on both sides of the ball. The biggest strength comparatively for Oklahoma is their rushing attack, while Clemson has an advantage with their strong pass rush. While Oklahoma is the more explosive offense, I give the slight edge to Clemson in this Orange Bowl. In what should be a shootout, Watson and Lawson give the Tigers the win. Make sure you tune into this one.

The Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State

Michigan State is a very good team, and is a team that is capable of playing really good football. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they run into a team that resembles their strengths, except better. Alabama is the first ranked S&P+ team, while Michigan State is 8th.

Neither team’s offense is anywhere near explosive as the teams in the Orange Bowl and this game will likely be a slower tempo game with each possession being important. Their offenses are eerily similar and even though Connor Cook is better than Jake Coker, their passing offense S&P+ numbers are almost identical. Part of that may be due to the fact that while Cook is experienced, he only completed 56.9% of his passes.

Alabama’s defensive front is the best front seven in college football, and they can wreck havoc. Michigan State was able to run right through Ohio State in their pivotal game, but that will be harder to do, as Alabama’s run defense is top-notch. And, the Spartans rushing attack was ranked 98th by S&P+, not exactly playoff worthy by any means.

​If the Spartans are going to keep this game close, they will have to do it through the air, as Aaron Burbridge is Michigan State’s best weapon. Burbridge had 80 catches, 1,219 yards, and seven touchdowns this season. Calvin Ridley is Alabama’s best downfield threat as he had 75 catches this season in his first season as a Crimson Tide player.

Michigan State’s defense is strong, but not nearly as strong as the Tide’s. They will be tasked with slowing down Derrick Henry, who wears down his opponents over the course of the game. Henry put up gaudy rushing numbers on his way to the Heisman trophy as he racked up nearly 2,000 yards and had 23 rushing touchdowns.

Overall, Alabama is just flat out better than Michigan State and should win easily. Unless the Tide comes out and play poorly, they should roll and make it to Phoenix for Saban’s chance at his fifth national title.